Know diabetes risks

During American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association is focusing on the "Many Faces of Diabetes." Nearly 21 million children and adults have diabetes and an additional 54 million are at-risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

An estimated 6.5 percent of Kansas adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, but 48,000 Kansans have diabetes and don't know it. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in Kansas. Almost 50 percent of the population of Kansas is at increased risk of diabetes because of risk factors of age, weight and sedentary lifestyle.

During November, the importance of knowing the risk factors and symptoms associated with diabetes, as well as its serious and life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputation will be promoted. Worldwide over 246 million people have diabetes. By 2020, that number is expected to rise to 380 million.

One in two minorities born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime if current trends continue.

Diabetes is typically undiagnosed because many of the symptoms of diabetes are overlooked or ignored. Typical symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability, and blurry vision.

Your healthcare professional can perform a simple test to determine if you have diabetes, or are at risk of developing diabetes.